The Portland Animator Who Created the Regal Cinemas Roller Coaster Has Died

John McLaughlin took us on a journey to some very loud exploding popcorn.

By Jenna Mulligan

You probably didn't know the name of Portland animator John McLaughlin, who died last week at age 46.

But if you've gone to the movies in the last 20 years, you've taken a ride on his work.

McLaughlin created the Regal Cinemas rolller-coaster trailer that listed theater rules in the 1990s by flying audiences through oversized candy boxes, soda cups and exploding popcorn kernels.

McLaughlin, born in Portland and raised in Milwaukie, worked at DreamWorks Animation on movies including Shark Tale and Kung Fu Panda. His Oregonian obituary can be read here.

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